May the 4th 2026: Star Wars Is Back On the Big Screen
May the 4th every year is a vibe check on Star Wars. Where is the franchise. Where are fans at. What is coming. This year the answer is bigger than it has been in a while. The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22. Star Wars is back on the big screen for the first time since 2019.
The Mandalorian Movie Is the Whole Story
Image: Lucasfilm / Disney
The Rise of Skywalker came out in December 2019. That is six and a half years without a Star Wars film. The longest gap since the original trilogy ended. In that time the franchise has lived almost entirely on Disney+, and the streaming era has been a mixed bag.
Image: Lucasfilm / Disney
May 22 changes that. Jon Favreau is directing, the same guy who made The Mandalorian what it is. Pedro Pascal and Grogu carry the cast. This is also where the Avengers: Doomsday trailer is reportedly attached, which means a lot of casual moviegoers who would not have shown up for a Star Wars movie are going to be in seats anyway. That kind of amplifier is exactly what the franchise needs.
The State of Things
Hold the franchise-fatigue takes for a second. Andor Season 2 landed strong. Skeleton Crew was better than anyone expected. The course corrections are happening. Mandalorian and Grogu is the first theatrical bet on those corrections paying off, and one good movie can flip the whole conversation in a weekend.
What Else Is Coming
The year ahead is quietly stacked. Star Wars Unlimited drops Twin Suns this Friday May 8 with four Clone Wars era precon decks (Anakin/Padmé, Dooku/Ventress, Ahsoka/Rex, Maul/Savage). The TCG side of Star Wars has been one of the franchise's strongest corners lately.
Star Wars Legion has several new sets coming out, just in time for the new film!
Image: Lucasfilm / Asmodee
The new Mandalorian Special Edition Army Box, Clan Wren Mandalorians, Mandalorian Super Commandos, and Mandalorian Leaders are a perfect jumping in point for fans of the series and miniatures! Pre-orders are up on the website now!
If The Mandalorian & Grogu lands the way it should, this is the year Star Wars stops being a "yeah, but..." franchise and starts being just Star Wars again.
Come Talk About It
Whatever your relationship with Star Wars right now, the next month is going to give you something to talk about. Swing by and let us know what you are most excited for. May the 4th Be With You!
Use Code MAY4 on our website for exclusive Star Wars discounts!
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